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Snowboarding is preferred to skiing for an increasing number of snow junkies looking for an adrenaline rush and amongst the Brits, France continues to be by far the most popular choice for a quick snowboarding holiday. Whether a last minute break or a planned getaway, the reason for the popularity is simple, France claims to have the largest number of skiable slopes in the world and some of the best slopes can be reached in just a few hours from the UK. The best-known French ski resorts are to be found in the Alpine region and this is where most of the skiers head. Know as the gateway to the Alps, there are about 40 ski
resorts to be found within just an hour's drive of France's Chambery airport. The resorts include the highly regarded destinations of Courcheval and Meribel and those prepared to drive for a further two hours are spoilt for choice, with a further 74 ski resorts to choose from, not least of which is the deservedly celebrated Chamonix.
Alternatively, many snowboarders prefer to take the ski train. You board at London's Waterloo International (or at Ashford International in Kent) to enjoy a non-stop journey, all the way to the foot of the slopes in the French Alps. Others even take advantage of an overnight coach service, travelling at night to get more time on the slopes.
Both suppliers are established holiday providers with excellent reputations. They are also ABTA and ATOL bonded, so customers can be assured that their travel arrangements and holiday money is protected and secure. However, note that ABTA, the Association of British Travel Agents and ATOL, the Air Travel Organisers' Licensing schemes are both UK operated organizations and as such, scheme benefits usually only cover UK customers. As always, you must check and confirm all details with supliers before making any payments.
The picture of a snowboarding jump in La plagne (France) was photographed by Jochem Alferink.
Pauline Ado from France, has sensationally made ASP history, becoming the first non-Australian female to claim the undisputed ASP Junior World Title at North Narrabeen beach, Sydney, Australia. The 17 year old defeated opponent Bethany Hamilton (HAW), 18, in an exciting and hard-fought final at the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships.
Tahitian Michel Bourez certainly enjoys playing in France's Hossegor surf, last year he knocked out Kelly Slater in the Quiksilver Pro France and this year he has gone and beat ASP World No. 3 Bede Durbidge (AUS)in the same event. It was his second major scalp in this year's Quiksilver Pro France, having eliminated Joel Parkinson (AUS) in Round 2. Bourez opened the heat against Durbidge with a 9.80, backed it up with a 9.77 and left Bede searching for a combo 19.57 points. Bourez said. "There were a couple of really good rights and lefts out there but the rip was really strong and I needed to catch the first wave so that is what I did."
It looks as if it is just a matter of time before Kelly Slater is celebrating winning the 2008 ASP title race and a historic ninth world title. Slater could potentially wrap things up tomorrow, but only if he wins the Quiksilver Pro France and ASP World No. 2 Taj Burrow (AUS) loses in Round 4 or the Quarterfinals.
After a five month break, the 17 ladies on the ASP world tour are converging on the Hossegor beachbreaks, for the Rip Curl Pro Mademoiselle running from August 28 through September 1, 2008. The Rip Curl Pro Mademoiselle is Event No. 3 on the 2008 ASP Women's World Tour and Sofia Mulanovich (PER), former ASP Women's World Champion and current No.1 on the 2008 ASP Women's World Tour, will soon be seen practising in the French surf.
Joy Monahan (Oahu,HAW) has become the first Hawaiian female World Longboard Champion. She defeated Chelsea Williams (AUS) in the final of the Roxy ASP Women's World Championships at La Cote des Basques in Biarritz, putting together strong combinations of classical turns and modern style re-entries in the two foot (0.5 meter) contestable conditions.
French favorite, Justine Dupont went out in a closely fought Quarterfnal, losing by 0.90 points to Leah Dawson (USA).
The one and only Roxy Jam Biarritz gets underway again at La Côte des Basques in Biarritz, France and runs from July 11-16, 2008. A unique blend of surfing, art and music emphasising the contribution of women, the event features the Roxy ASP Women's World Longboard Championship, which will be the deciding competition in determining the 2008 ASP Women's World Longboard Champion. Jenifer Smith (USA), reigning ASP Women's World Longboard Champion, will be looking to defend her title but several contenders are keen to dethrone her, not least last year's runner-up Justine Dupont (FRA) who sits behind Smith in second place on the world rankings.
Young Justine is from Lacanau, just two hours North of Biarritz, so the potential world champion is on home ground and will enjoy great support from the locals.
Mick Fanning (AUS) has won the 2007, Quiksilver Pro France, beating South Africa's Greg Emslie, in one to one and a half meter (three to five foot) surf at Les Bourdaines, Hossegor.
The tour has now moved across the border to Mundaka, Spain, where Fanning has the opportunity to clinch his maiden Foster's ASP World Title.
If Mick wins the Billabong Pro Mundaka, while Kelly Slater and Taj Burrow fail to earn Semifinal berths, then he will win his maiden World Title. Slater and Burrow need to post equal 3rd or better results to keep their world title hopes alive.
The 2007 ASP Women's World Longboard Championship in Biarritz, France, has been won by Jennifer Smith from Pacific Beach, California, USA, who was last years runner-up. She secured the title by defeating the phenomenal 15 year old French teenager Justine Dupont in a close fought final, acknowledging that it was her greater experience that won through. "Justine is such a good surfer and has been getting really high scores throughout the whole event. She's only 15 and I have six years on her" said Smith. "She's not going anywhere. In six year's time, she is going to be absolutely annihilating it."
Dupont took out Chelsea Williams (AUS) in their semifinal and in the other semifinal Jennifer Smith defeated Janna Irons (HAW), cousin to surfing superstars Andy and Bruce.
Competition has begun in the 2007 Roxy ASP Women's World Longboard Championship, at the beautiful French town of Biarritz.
Local hopes rest on four-time European longboard champion Claire Karabatsos (FRA), who is Biarritz born and bred. In last year?s event Karabatsos had a remarkable run, advancing through to the semifinals where she was defeated by the eventual winner Schuyler McFerran (USA).
The Championship incorporates a number of free public events, including concerts, art exhibitions, initiatives and workshops to celebrate the regions strong surfing culture.
Phil Rajzman has made surfing history by becoming Brazil's first ever ASP World Champion.
The Brazilians dominated the finals of the Oxbow Pro World Longboard Championship at Les Cavaliers, Anglet, France and Rajzman defeated fellow countrymen Danilo Rodrigo in the final 15.00 to 12.30, to become the 2007, Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) Men's World Longboarding Champion.
Excitement and surprises continue to be surfed up at Les Cavaliers, Anglet, France, in the Oxbow Pro World Longboard Championship.
In round 3, Heat 1, 18 year old local wildcard Antoine Delpero (FRA) showed that youth could rise over experience when he defeated 41-year-old veteran Amaro Matos (BRA) in round three. Despite Matos being the in-form surfer, having scored the highest two-wave heat score the previous day, and tricky wave conditions, Delpero was able to find two open faced walls, performing a number of stylish maneuvers which allowed him to take the heat and advance into round four. After an overnight stop, the next major surprise saw defending event champion, Josh Constable (AUS), being beaten by fellow Australian, 17-year-old whiz kid and youngest competitor in the event, Harrison Roach. It was a massive turn-up because the experienced and powerful Constable had been in devastating form, and Roach had entered the event on a wildcard ticket. Then, in the very next heat, it was a similar scenario with trials wildcard Jackson Close, a young, powerful Australian, surfing far too strong for last year's runner up Ned Snow (HAW).
With two days remaining and 16 surfers left, organisers will aim to run Round 4 tomorrow before finishing the event on Sunday.
Surfing legends and the world's hottest longboarders are descending on the famous beaches of les Cavaliers, la Barre and les Dunes, on the French, Basque Coast, for the Oxbow World Longboard Championship scheduled to start this Monday, Apr. 30, 2007, with a waiting period through to May 6, 2007.
The event will crown the ASP World Longboard Champion and Australian Josh Constable, will be there to defend the crown he won in the epic waves of Costa Rica last year, but local hopes will be with young Frenchman and Oxbow wildcard, Antoine Delpero. He has been based in the Basque coast for the last few years and is both an accomplished shortboarder, as well as a skillful longboarder. Having made a name for himself riding the huge waves of the Basque coast this winter, he clearly has the talent to cause some major upsets.
ASP have announced the Oxbow Pro longboard championship to take place at Les Cavaliers, France, April 30 to May 6, 2007. The event which has $50,000 prize money, is expected to attract the world's best longboarders including former world champions Bonga Perkins (HAW), Joel Tudor (USA), Colin McPhillips (USA) and reigning world champion Josh Constable (AUS).
Here is a small video clip provided by Geert of the locals enjoying the surf at Les Cavaliers beach break, which is North of Biarritz and regarded as one of Anglets best breaks.
The best-known French ski resorts are to be found in the Alpine region and this is where most of the skiers head. Know as the gateway to the Alps, there are about 40 ski 
The Rip Curl Pro Mademoiselle is Event No. 3 on the 2008 ASP Women's World Tour and Sofia Mulanovich (PER), former ASP Women's World Champion and current No.1 on the 2008 ASP Women's World Tour, will soon be seen practising in the French surf.
French favorite, Justine Dupont went out in a closely fought Quarterfnal, losing by 0.90 points to Leah Dawson (USA).
Jenifer Smith (USA), reigning ASP Women's World Longboard Champion, will be looking to defend her title but several contenders are keen to dethrone her, not least last year's runner-up Justine Dupont (FRA) who sits behind Smith in second place on the world rankings.
"Justine is such a good surfer and has been getting really high scores throughout the whole event. She's only 15 and I have six years on her" said Smith. "She's not going anywhere. In six year's time, she is going to be absolutely annihilating it."
Dupont took out Chelsea Williams (AUS) in their semifinal and in the other semifinal Jennifer Smith defeated Janna Irons (HAW), cousin to surfing superstars Andy and Bruce.
